During the first World War, presentations called "soldier shows" allowed theatrical producers to not only entertain the public, but provide a show of patriotism. Some of these shows were put together by individuals who served in the military (such as Sergeant Irving Berlin), though others had no military background. The shows were light entertainment, featuring skits and musical numbers, and utilized many performers who were actually in the service. Proceeds from soldier shows went to projects intended to improve the lives of those serving in the armed forces of the United States.

In 1821, meetings took place in Albany, New York to revise the state's constitution. In the course of the meetings, numerous surprisingly frank and open discussions were carried on that related to feelings about race, at a time when some blacks in the state were still enslaved. The question was: should blacks be allowed to vote on the same footing as whites? The discussions were tinged with both fear and a spirit of egalitarianism. Some were afraid of the political power blacks might be able to exercise, while others felt that allowing all blacks to vote would make up for what the race had suffered under slavery. In the end, the egalitarians lost, and the new constitution allowed white males to vote who did not own property (removing an existing restriction), but added language that effectively disenfranchised most blacks. Blacks who did not own property were not able to vote in New York until after the Civil War.

Solomon Northup was a free black man living in New York State. In 1841 he was lured away from home and sold as a slave. For nearly twelve years, he was a slave in Louisiana. Finally he was able to get a message to friends in New York, and he was able to return home as a free man. After writing a book about his experiences, he traveled around the Northeast giving speeches, and even helped fugitive slaves get to Canada thanks to his work on the Underground Railroad. Mr. Fiske wrote Solomon Northup: His Life Before and After Slavery, and is a co-author of Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave. This is a great Black History topic!

Solomon Northup was lured into slavery in 1841, and was a slave in Louisiana for 12 years before being rescued.
What impact did Northup’s kidnapping have on his wife and
family? In Solomon’s absence, the Northup family became a one-income household. This presentation will describe how his wife, Anne, carried on and saw to the needs of their children. Information on her later life will also be given. Black History topic. Fiske is a co-author of Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave.

The film 12 Years a Slave told of Solomon Northup’s kidnapping and enslavement before the Civil War, but Northup’s victimization was not an isolated incident. Economics and governmental actions made such crimes profitable, and many citizens, primarily free blacks, were victimized. This presentation will explain how kidnappers could operate with relative ease, and tell about several of the victims included in Fiske's book, Solomon Northup's Kindred: The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War.

October Mountain State Forest takes in 16,500 acres, making it one of the largest public recreation areas in Massachusetts. Much of the forest was once a sprawling private estate and game preserve, created by William C. Whitney, a man of wealth and prominence. Over time, the game preserve was dismantled and most--but not all--of the animals were relocated. Fire and the elements took their toll on the dormant structures, and the large estate came into the possession of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Various Civilian Conservation Corps projects made this natural resource more accessible and usable by the public. One project in particular created a lake with picnic and camping facilities. Known as Felton Lake, this site has had its share of successes and setbacks, and has seen tragedy and happiness. Today, besides a bridge and dam built by the CCC, only a few ruins of a Boy Scout camp remain at the lake.

After exposing the public to a huckstered version of life in the West--via his Wild West Show--Nate Salsbury initiated a new production in 1895 called Black America. Black America set out not merely to entertain, but to educate the public about the lives blacks had led in the antebellum south. Though the show included some acts that were not typical elements of plantation life--juggling, tight-rope walking, and drills by black cavalry troops--it also featured a village with over 100 cabins where blacks portrayed activities such as picking cotton, operating cotton gins, itinerant preaching, and socializing.
Among the singing and dancing performances were examples of black culture that had developed under slavery, as well as newer creations. Show business considerations, as well as stereotypical thinking, resulted in the inclusion of minstrel songs, cakewalks, and tap dancing, but Salsbury's original purpose for creating the show was largely one of public education, and the Black America Show was less exploitative than other contemporary productions. It gave many African-Americans a foot in the door for careers in show business, and increased public awareness of their many skills and talents. Black America had runs in Brooklyn and several other U.S. cities.

Under slavery, it was not only the slaves who suffered. Free blacks were at risk of being kidnapped and sold as slaves. Once they were taken to a slave state, chances of their returning home were small. Several New Yorkers, from various parts of the state, were rescued from slavery, and their kidnappers were held accountable for their deeds. This presentation will tell their stories. Fiske is a co-author of Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave. Great Black History topic!

$101- $200

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* Inclusion in this database does not indicate endorsement of any performer
or program by the NYS Education Department, the Office of Cultural Education, the NYS Library or the participating
library systems, nor does it eliminate the need for reference checks and appropriate standard screening procedures.